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Pac-West MX Dealers Challenge Series

“The premiere motocross series in the northwest”

Working with a growing number of motorcycle dealers and the state’s leading motocross track operators, Villopoto is bringing back what was a premier northwest motocross tradition, The Pac West Motocross Series. Villopoto and a small group of motocross enthusiasts have formed a new company, the Pac West Motocross Promoters Group, to breathe new life into the series.

“Pac West was around when I was a kid,” says Villopoto. “It used to be a very big series in the Northwest. I raced it as a kid.”

The popular series that dates back to the 1980s would capture the weekends of as many as 800 racers from across Washington, California, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia, including the participation of many of the state’s motorcycle dealers and race tracks.

But the recession in 2008 hit the motocross industry hard. The economics of motocross racing started to work against the one thing that has made motocross strong – the participation of the family.

“To complete a typical series, a family must spend one out of every four weekends a year at motocross tracks across the region,” Nilsen said. “Many families start a series but a significant number of them simply can’t dedicate the time and resources needed to support 12 to 14 weekends of racing or can’t complete a series due to conflicting race events.”

Villopoto and Nilsen’s Pac West Motocross Series will be a simpler, more cost-effective and shorter format, designed to make motocross a more accessible sport. The event is designed to give riders more track time and a more realistic chance of completing the series.

“We want to produce a better series and a better weekend for the racer,” says Villopoto.

“Ryan Villopoto to take the lead on the New Pac West MX Series” 9 time AMA Supercross/Outdoor Champion wants change to Washington state motocross. He sees a unique opportunity to fix the broken motocross racing scene by offering a 7 race series that brings the dealers and the riders back together. Too many race series were overlapping and causing low turnouts. I have a plan to have a super series that is only 7 races and hits the best tracks in Washington. Saturday practice and Sunday racing. Giving the local dealers a chance to participate. Saves the family’s money and makes it possible to finish the series.

Like the Pac West series of the past, the group is also bringing back strong dealer and manufacturer participation, increasing the number of dealer-sponsored motocross teams, racer discounts and giveaways, and manufacturer contingencies. Having races on Sundays means the dealers can actually participate in the event without worrying about staffing their dealerships.

“In the old days, we would stand by the track and root for the racers. You could see your riders coming down the track,” remembers Bill Cameron, owner of Skagit Powersports in Burlington, Wash. “There would be giant trailers with a shop in it in the pits, with a dad and two kids with two bikes each. But then, dad lost his job.”

Cameron is optimistic and energized by the organizers behind the new Pac West series and recognizes a strengthening economy and stronger employment – factors that help fuel motorsports participation. For Cameron, the Pac West series is an opportunity to breathe new life into his dealership’s motocross team and encourage some friendly competition with other dealers across the state. A dealer trophy for the best overall score of their riders is part of the new series.

“We’re going to get involved with incentives and the spirit,” Cameron says. “Given the size and design of the series, a lot of new riders and non-professional riders can do the whole series. Once the word gets out on this, I’m going to send out email blasts that we’re looking for riders.”

A portion of the event registration fees goes directly into prizes for completing the series.

“The larger the participation in the series, the larger the prizes waiting for top riders at the end of the seven-race series,” said Brent Davis, the third partner of the Pac West Motocross Promoters Group.

“We want to create a series where there is more in it for the racers,” says Nilsen. “We also want to provide an activity for a family with affordable and standardized fees across the series.”

“Not all kids play traditional stick and ball sports,” says Ryan Villopoto, who grew up in Poulsbo and started riding motorcycles when he was 3. Villopoto rode for the Brothers Powersports motocross team in his early teens, before joining Kawasaki’s manufacturer team. “We want to create a series where riders can actually see it through to the end – where they can earn industry prizes and recognition for increasing their skills.”

Villopoto’s passion for motocross ultimately vaulted him to the international stage, where he captured the AMA World Supercross Champion title four years in a row before retiring from motorcycle racing in 2015.

In addition to founding the series with Nilsen, Villopoto and Davis run Grays Harbor ORV, the premier motocross facility in the Puget Sound region. The track located west of Olympia will host the final round of the series. Nilsen’s Motowest track in Bremerton will host the sixth round of the series.

“It’s like bringing back original Coke,” Nilsen said of bring back the Pac West Motorcross Series. “Everyone remembers it. The ‘moto-dads’ will definitely remember it.”

Riders can join the series by signing up on the Pac West Motocross Dealers Challenge Series website.

About PWPG, LLC

Mission Statement

Formed by Ryan Villopoto (9 time AMA SX/MX Champion & GHORV Owner, Brent Davis (GHORV Owner) and Brian Nilsen (Moto-west & Brothers Powersports Owner). Seeing the need for change in the Washington motocross scene. They banded together and developed a series that will benefit the tracks, Dealerships and riders.

“Getting the dealership back involved in racing and back to the track is what is needed.” -BN

“Giving the power back to the tracks so that they can be profitable so they can continue to operate and grow.” -BD

“Having a series everyone can finish. Sunday race days so shops can also complete.” -RV

“Limiting the amount of races so races aren’t working on top of each other.” -RV